HONOLULU – Hawaiian Electric Industries – along with its subsidiaries Hawaiian Electric, Hawai‘i Electric Light, Maui Electric, and American Savings Bank – is contributing $100,000 to the Filipino Community Center of Hawaiʻi (FilCom Center) for relief efforts in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan. The donation from the HEI Charitable Foundation will be doubled to $200,000 by the Consuelo Foundation, which has pledged to match up to $2 million in donations toward Philippine relief efforts.

“Through HEI’s generous contribution and our partnership with the FilCom Center, we will be able to provide much-needed relief and secure more aid for disaster-stricken victims in the Philippines,” said Jon Matsuoka, president and CEO of the Consuelo Foundation.

In addition to the $100,000 donation, the HEI Charitable Foundation will match personal donations made by employees of HEI and its subsidiaries to relief efforts. Alternatively, donations made directly to the FilCom Center will be matched by the Consuelo Foundation.

“We appreciate the good work of the Consuelo Foundation in partnership with the FilCom Center to support this humanitarian cause,” said Connie Lau, HEI president and CEO. “Our thoughts are with the people impacted by this devastating disaster – those in the Philippines and their families here in Hawai‘i.”

Bank makes gifts to the American Red Cross and the Filipino Community Center

News ReleaseFor Immediate ReleaseNovember 13, 2013

HONOLULU — First Hawaiian Bank is donating $100,000 towards the Philippines Typhoon Haiyan relief efforts. A donation of $50,000 will be made to the American Red Cross and another $50,000 will go to the Filipino Community Center (FilCom Center) in Hawaii, according to an announcement made today by Bob Harrison, First Hawaiian Bank president and chief executive officer.

“The magnitude of the devastation of Super Typhoon Haiyan to both the Philippines and its people is staggering and we wish to extend our prayers and heartfelt support at this time,” Harrison said. “This donation also recognizes the significant contributions our Filipino communities have made in Hawaii and Guam. Many of our own employees have family members and loved ones in the Philippines affected by this disaster.”

To assist its personal account customers who are interested in sending support directly to families and friends, the bank will waive wire transfer fees to the Philippines through December 31, 2013.

The American Red Cross is a non-profit organization that provides humanitarian aid, shelter, and food to survivors of disasters. Supplies and volunteer rescue teams are being sent to support the recovery and relief efforts for Super Typhoon Haiyan.

FilCom Center is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization that provides social, economic and education services for the Filipino community and continues to promote and preserve the cultural traditions of the Philippines. FilCom Center has supported numerous disaster relief efforts in the Philippines since its establishment in 2002.

First Hawaiian Bank is Hawaii’s oldest and largest bank with over $16.7 billion in total assets and 62 branches throughout Hawaii, Guam and the CNMI.

HONOLULU – The Island Insurance Foundation is donating $25,000 to the Filipino Community Center (FilCom Center) for the disaster victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan and the Aloha for Philippines relief effort. The FilCom Center has also partnered with the Consuelo Foundation, which will match donations to the FilCom Center dollar for dollar, up to $2 million.

“Our hearts go out to the staggering number of people affected by this devastating natural disaster,” said Tyler Tokioka, President of the Island Insurance Foundation. “We have so many employees and local families with friends, relatives and loved ones in the Philippines, that supporting this relief effort was a priority for our organization.”

The FilCom Center is only one of two non-profit organizations in the state designated to accept donations for the Aloha for Philippines relief effort, in addition to the 11 banks that make up the Hawaii Bankers Association. Inaugurated by the Filipino Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii in 1991, the FilCom Center is the largest Filipino community center outside the Philippines. A 501 (3) (c) non-profit organization, its mission is to provide social, economic and educational services as well as to promote and perpetuate the Filipino culture and customs in Hawaii.

The Island Insurance Foundation was established as the charitable arm of Island Insurance, Hawaii’s largest locally owned and managed Property and Casualty (P&C) insurance carrier. Island Insurance holds a financial strength rating of “A” by A.M. Best and is the only Hawaii-based company to be recognized as one of the Top 50 P&C insurance companies in the nation by the Ward Group for six consecutive years. For more information, visit its website at: www.islandinsurance.com.

# # #

http://alohaforphilippines.com/afp/wp-content/uploads/iic.png334710adminalohahttp://alohaforphilippines.com/afp/wp-content/uploads/logoafp1.pngadminaloha2013-11-26 05:53:182013-11-26 06:24:38The Island Insurance Foundation donates $25,000 to the Filipino Community Center and the Aloha for Philippines relief effort

The Oahu Filipino Community Council is spearheading a day of “Pasasalamat” (Appreciation), with support from various Filipino community leaders and the Philippine Consulate, to express appreciation to the Hawaii community for its concern and outpouring of support to the victims of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). Download flyer.

http://alohaforphilippines.com/afp/wp-content/uploads/floating.png1004762adminalohahttp://alohaforphilippines.com/afp/wp-content/uploads/logoafp1.pngadminaloha2013-11-22 05:00:332013-11-24 05:07:38Floating Lights of Aloha for the Philippines

Governor Neil Abercrombie and University of Hawaii announce that for every ticket purchased, $5 will be donated to the Filipino Community (FilCom) Center for relief efforts, up to $20,000. The donation to FilCom will be matched by the Consuelo Foundation.

Aloha For Philippines

As part of the statewide Aloha For Philippines relief effort, Hawaii’s banks are teaming up to accept donations for disaster victims of Super Typhoon Haiyan. Beginning Monday, November 18, members of the public will be able to donate money at any branch of every bank in the state, providing Hawaii residents hundreds of safe, convenient and trusted locations to make contributions. In a similar coordinated effort during the 2011 Aloha For Japan campaign, banks collected over $3 million for disaster victims.

Participating banks include American Savings Bank, Bank of Hawaii, Bank of the Orient, Central Pacific Bank, Finance Factors, First Hawaiian Bank, Hawaii National Bank, HomeStreet Bank, Ohana Pacific Bank, Pacific Rim Bank and Territorial Savings Bank—all of whom make up the 11 member banks of the Hawaii Bankers Association.

“We are deeply concerned about the welfare of the victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines,” said Edward Pei, Executive Director of the Hawaii Bankers Association. “We are pleased to do our part by accepting donations from our generous and caring community members, and forwarding those donations to organizations that can provide direct assistance.”

The banks designated the Filipino Community Center (FilCom Center) as one of its 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. With the numerous natural calamities that have struck the Philippines in recent years, the FilCom Center has become accustomed to raising money for disaster victims. “While we are deeply saddened by yet another devastating storm, we are thankful for the leadership of Hawaii’s banks and the opportunity to partner with the Consuelo Foundation, who will accept donations from FilCom and match each dollar,” says Edmund Aczon, FilCom’s board chairman.

The Consuelo Foundation is currently responding to immediate recovery needs in the affected areas of the Visayas through their partners and affiliates. Their core long term strategy is to work to rebuild communities in ways that create safe and healthy environments for children and families.

“The Consuelo Foundation is deeply moved and saddened by the recent tragedy that has affected the lives of millions of Filipinos. Many of them are people we have worked with for decades. In response to this disaster we have pledged to match all monies donated to the FilCom Center up to $2 million. If, for example, you donate $100 to FilCom, you are really donating $200 to Philippine disaster victims,” stated Consuelo Foundation President & CEO Jon Matsuoka. “We are using donations to partner with trusted Philippine-based organizations to devise comprehensive approaches that include the restoration of housing, livelihoods, psychosocial and physical health, and the promotion of child and family welfare and safety.”

The banks’ other designated charity is the American Red Cross, which is part of the world’s largest humanitarian network. American Red Cross donations will be used to purchase and distribute relief items such as food, blankets, hygiene kits, and mosquito nets, repair and rebuild shelters, provide health care, ensure access to clean water and sanitation systems, and provide cash grants for use when markets begin functioning normally.

“Our hearts go out to the people of the Philippines at this time of great tragedy,” says Coralie Chun Matayoshi, CEO of the American Red Cross, Pacific Islands Region. “We are incredibly grateful for the support of all banks in serving as a catalyst for their customers’ generosity. This act of compassion will give strength to our humanitarian efforts in the Philippines. We want to thank everyone involved in Aloha For Philippines for their wonderful contribution to the cause of humanity.”

Check donations can be made payable to “American Red Cross – Aloha For Philippines” or “Filipino Community Center – Aloha For Philippines” and deposited at all HBA-member banks across Hawaii.

Aloha For Philippines

Hawaii-born, Filipino boxer Brian Viloria is used to winning championships, having won the WBO and WBA Flyweight, WBC Light Flyweight, and IBF Junior Flyweight titles. Now he’s championing a new cause – saving the lives of Philippine disaster victims in the aftermath of Super Typhoon Haiyan.

Viloria has teamed up with HiLife Clothing, Butigroove, In4mation, Barefoot League, and Lanai Tabura’s Aloha Plate to raise money for relief efforts by marketing the newly-launched Aloha For Philippines shirts and apparel.

This is the same group of artists and designers who created the iconic Aloha For Japan t-shirts following the 2011 Japanese earthquake and tsunami. They raised more than $80,000 in t-shirt sales during that campaign.

“Many people are in desperate need for water, food, and medical supplies,” said Viloria. “They need our help. We need to do what we can to help save lives.”

Proceeds will be donated to the Filipino Community Center (“FilCom Center”) to go towards relief efforts in the Philippines. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic events in the Philippines,” said Lanai Tabura, local celebrity and co-owner of Aloha Plate. “Let’s all do what we can to help our community, our friends, our ohana.”